A couple of weeks back, we asked you a straightforward question: “Are veterinarians salespeople, too?” The response was overwhelming, and it’s time to share what we found.

We ran this question in two separate polls. The first one got 49 votes, with 82% saying ‘Yes’, and 18% saying ‘No’. The second poll had a slightly bigger crowd of 77 people, with 77% voting ‘Yes’, and 23% voting ‘No’.

When we pulled the results together, it became clear that a majority think that vets do have a role in sales. Around 79% of you agreed that veterinarians sometimes need to act as salespeople. This could be because vets often find themselves recommending products and services to pet owners, which is a form of sales.

But we can’t forget the other side of the coin. About 21% said that vets are not salespeople. It’s possible that these folks think vets should focus on the health of animals, and that selling might take away from that focus.

So, what does this all mean? It means that most of you see the vet’s role as a mix of health care and sales. But, a good chunk of you also thinks that vets should stick to medicine, leaving the sales to others.

We want to say a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who took part in these polls. These conversations are great for understanding each other’s views and learning more about our industry.

Let’s keep this conversation going, and stay tuned for more polls and discussions. Thanks again, and keep sharing your insights!

About the Author

Trish Valenzuela is the Practice Director for Monogastric Health & Nutrition at Continental Search. She joined the team in 2015. With her knack for building relationships and a deep understanding of the industry, she has successfully led recruitment efforts for roles within the US, Canada, and Asia.

Trish makes sure to understand what each company needs in a candidate and works closely with them to find the perfect match. She loves learning new things, enjoys going to trade shows, and catching up with folks she’s worked with to keep learning and growing in her field. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or drop her an email at trish@continentalsearch.com.